Man arrested following pursuit

A man is in custody after a pursuit that led officers on Highway 200 and through private property before being apprehended.

Jesse Spegal of Trout Creek is facing several charges after the pursuit that began just after 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 5.

Officer Jason Thornton of the Thompson Falls Police Department (TFPD) initiated a traffic stop on a truck for an equipment violation, TFPD reported in a press release. While the vehicle initially stopped, the driver then drove back on the roadway and sped away from the officer. Sanders County Sheriff’s Deputy Tim Kelly responded to the call and deployed a tire deflation device on Highway 200 near mile marker 37 in Whitepine. The vehicle was disabled and the suspect fled the scene on foot. The area was searched by Sanders County Sheriff’s Office but the suspect was not initially located, according to Chief Chris Nichols with TFPD. Later Sunday, a resident spotted the suspect and reported it to the sheriff’s office, after which deputies and TFPD officers responded. The suspect was located and taken into custody by Deputy Corey Wheeldon.

According to TFPD, the suspect is currently being held in the Sanders County Jail on charges of reckless eluding, criminal endangerment, criminal trespass to property, driving suspended, obstructing a peace officer, resisting arrest and illegal possession of a firearm.

“I was pleased with the cooperation between the agencies that resulted in the quick termination of a dangerous vehicle pursuit and eventually the apprehension of the suspect,” Chief Nichols stated.